Porsche Boxster / Cayman 981 S
Porsche's mid-engine two-seater — from the 986 that saved the company to the last flat-six GTS.
9 reviewers · 15 videos · 2 hours watched · 13 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on value.
across 9 reviewers
"For a 12-year-old Cayman to still cost you the best part of 40k outside of a GTS as well, might I add, is pretty sensational."
9WERKS TV · ▶ 3:12"The biggest issue i have with this car though is the extortionate price of the options"
Carbuyer · ▶ 6:41Performance
4.0/59 of 9 reviewersstrong consensus“3.4 l Flat 6 engine produces 320 brake horsepower and it Sprints to 60 mph in Just 4 seconds”
positive · Auto Express · ▶ 0:32“almost 100 horsepower difference between these two cars”
mixed · Zygrene · ▶ 15:11“the Cayman S will do 0 to 60 at 4.2 seconds”
positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 5:06Handling
4.5/59 of 9 reviewersconsensus“it's just so well balanced in the high speed Corners really stable under braking as well”
positive · Auto Express · ▶ 2:31“the real standout feature of the Cayman is its pin sharp handling.”
positive · Carbuyer · ▶ 5:32“for a miden engine car the Cayman has always been a magical thing in terms of the balance and the feedback and the feel it gives you this car has taken it to a another level again”
positive · EVO · ▶ 5:35Fun to drive
4.5/59 of 9 reviewersstrong consensus“For a light, dynamic, and engaging sports car, this really does tick all the boxes.”
positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 9:17“I think the Boxster is one of the best sports cars on the market”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 2:12“overall this is about as much fun as you can get in a rope car”
positive · Carbuyer · ▶ 2:03Daily drivability
4.5/59 of 9 reviewersstrong consensus“it feels very daily driver friendly it's a little bit softer a little bit more reasonable”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 7:25“it's also the car that's the most enjoyable to live with dayto day”
positive · Auto Express · ▶ 7:09“this is ultra comfortable too... I'm very comfortable person in this car”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 20:04Value
4.5/59 of 9 reviewerssplit“For a 12-year-old Cayman to still cost you the best part of 40k outside of a GTS as well, might I add, is pretty sensational.”
positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 3:12“if you find the right one you can get 20 grand off of basically like a GTS buy kind of settling for an S”
positive · Tedward · ▶ 4:59“at 55 000 or so I have to say this actually feels like an absolute steal”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 25:25Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Top Gear
Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 review: the 6cyl Cayman is back! Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe 718 GTS 4.0 is a triumphant return to form for the Cayman, offering a class-leading chassis paired with a naturally aspirated flat-six that enthusiasts have been craving.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize engine character, linear power delivery, and manual transmission engagement.
- Watch out
- Frustratingly long gear ratios · Particulate filter slightly muffles exhaust sound
1,406 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a beautifully balanced, naturally aspirated sports car that prioritizes engagement and character over raw numbers.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who value mechanical purity, steering feel, and daily usability in a sports car.
- Watch out
- Long gearing · High-RPM torque peak · Motorway road noise
1,084 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS review: the world's best sports car? Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth it, with caveatsA fabulous, balanced sports car that offers more intensity than the base model, though the 718's four-cylinder transition has slightly dulled the perfection of the previous generation.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want more power and are willing to trade some ride comfort for intensity.
- Watch out
- Abrupt ride quality · Four-cylinder engine lacks the character of the old six · Expensive options list
1,444 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is arguably the best car Porsche builds right now, offering a perfect balance of performance, sound, and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable sports car with a naturally aspirated flat-six engine.
- Watch out
- Gearing is too long
1,222 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Porsche 718 Cayman Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe 718 Cayman remains a benchmark sports car, though the base four-cylinder engines lack the character of the older flat-sixes; the GTS and GT4 models are the true standouts.
- Best for
- Drivers seeking a complete, daily-usable sports car who don't require rear seats.
- Watch out
- gruff sound of 4-cylinder engines · high price of upper trims
763 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 First Drive
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a masterclass in sports car engineering, offering a perfect blend of naturally aspirated performance and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts seeking a modern Porsche with the soul and sound of a traditional naturally aspirated flat-six.
- Watch out
- Long second gear ratio · Slight weight penalty over the S model
1,622 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - MotorTrend
2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 First Test Review: GT4 Goodness at a Deep Discount
◆BuyThe 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a masterclass in balance, offering nearly identical performance to the GT4 while being significantly more comfortable for daily use.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-performance Porsche that can handle both track days and daily commuting.
- Watch out
- Less aggressive tire compound than the GT4 · Cast iron rotors instead of carbon-ceramics
501 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Road & Track
Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 Review: Brilliant No Matter Which Transmission
◆Worth itThe Cayman GTS 4.0 remains a brilliant driver's car regardless of transmission, with the PDK offering a mature, highly capable alternative to the manual without sacrificing engagement.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a daily-drivable sports car that excels on both track and road.
- Watch out
- Cramped pedal box · Small side mirrors · Stiff ride on long trips · Stop/start system stutter
1,138 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time